This is the second animated series adapted from the Marvel Comics series Fantastic Four. The 1978 series used a name called H E. The R.B.I.E. (humanoid experimental robot, B-type, integrated electronics) robot has replaced the role of a human torch. A long-standing rumor suggests that this change was made by the television network (NBC) because executives do not want young audiences to imitate "The Torch of Humanity" and self immolate. This rumor was proved to be untrue, because a proposed TV pilot film being developed by Universal Studios in 1978 restricted the TV use right of this character, but it was not produced in the end.